Gator caper theory emerges at NY reptile sanctuary

Rhonda Leavitt on Thursday holds Kobe who has been recovered after the three-foot alligator slipped away from its home in New Lebanon, N.Y., on Aug. 22. (Ben Garver/Berkshire Eagle Staff)

NEW LEBANON, N.Y. -- A three-foot alligator named "Kobe" was returned to its upstate New York home after disappearing last month in a possible "gator-napping."

At a news conference Thursday, Kobe's owner, Rhonda Leavitt, said the gray and white American alligator was retrieved on Wednesday evening in a stream about a mile from its home. Kobe went missing Aug. 22.

Leavitt, who runs a reptile sanctuary, said the alligator "doesn't look worse for the wear." Leavitt swam into the deep stream to retrieve Kobe.

"I can't even express how awesome it is to have him back," said Leavitt, who held Kobe as if it were a newborn, with a hand near the tail and another to support its neck.

Meanwhile, New Lebanon Animal Control Officer Wes Powell, assisted by New York State Troopers, is investigating the possibility of charging a man with misdemeanor larceny and trespassing charges for kidnapping the alligator.

Local authorities originally said the alligator escaped from its cage while it was being cleaned, but on Thursday a different scenario emerged.

Leavitt said there is reason to believe the alligator was stolen by someone who intended to sell it. But Kobe was dumped in the stream after the person realized Kobe didn't bring much value as originally anticipated.

"We do believe Kobe was stolen and his return was very questionable," Powell said. "We do have a person of interest so this is an ongoing investigation."

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On Wednesday evening, Leavitt received a tip from a local that the alligator was seen in a stream. Leavitt and her husband drove to the stream several times in the day, but at first couldn't locate Kobe.

Once nighttime came around, the couple identified the alligator because of its glowing luminescent eyes. The couple considered retrieving a kayak to rescue the alligator, but Leavitt plunged neck deep into the water to get Kobe.

"I went swimming," Leavitt said. "I had to trample through bushes, thorns, fell through a beaver dam, fell on my face a few times, and had to cross a stream twice to get to where he was located. And then when I got there, I was able to sneak up behind him and grab him."

She added, "I am not taking a chance of him disappearing, so I went for a swim. It was a little cold, but whatever."

For the past two weeks, the alligator's getaway had prompted a search of the area. Town residents pooled money to offer an $850 reward for whomever found the alligator. The money was never rewarded.

In the coming weeks, she said she would add cameras to her property and GPS tracking systems to her animals.

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